70 ILCS 705/11m

(70 ILCS 705/11m)

Sec. 11m. Enforcement of the Fire Investigation Act.

(a) The fire chief has the authority to enforce the provisions of any rules adopted by the State Fire Marshal under the provisions of the Fire Investigation Act or to carry out the duties imposed on local officers under Section 9 of the Fire Investigation Act as provided in this Section.

(b) In the event that a fire chief determines that a dangerous condition or fire hazard is found to exist contrary to the rules referred to in Section 9 of the Fire Investigation Act, or if a dangerous condition or fire hazard is found to exist as specified in the first paragraph of Section 9 of the Fire Investigation Act, the fire chief shall order the dangerous condition or fire hazard removed or remedied and shall so notify the owner, occupant, or other interested person in the premises. Service of the notice upon the owner, occupant, or other interested person may be made in person or by registered or certified mail. If the owner, occupant, or other interested person cannot be located by the fire chief, the fire chief may post the order upon the premises where the dangerous condition or fire hazard exists.

(c) In the event that a fire chief determines that the dangerous condition or fire hazard which has been found to exist places persons occupying or present in the premises at risk of imminent bodily injury or serious harm, the fire chief may, as part of the order issued under subsection (b), order that the premises where such condition or fire hazard exists be immediately vacated and not be occupied until the fire chief inspects the premises and issues a notice that the dangerous condition or fire hazard is no longer present and that the premises may be occupied. An order under this subsection (c) shall be effective immediately and notice of the order may be given by the fire chief by posting the order at premises where the dangerous condition or fire hazard exists.

(d) In the event an owner, occupant, or other interested person fails to comply with an order issued by a fire chief under subsections (b) or (c), the fire chief may refer the order to the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney may apply to the circuit court for enforcement of the order of the fire chief, as issued by the fire chief or as modified by the circuit court, under the provisions of Article XI of the Code of Civil Procedure by temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or permanent injunction, provided, however, that no bond shall be required by the court under Section 11-103 of the Code of Civil Procedure and no damages may be assessed by the court under Section 11-110 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(e) The provisions of this Section are supplementary to the provisions of the Fire Investigation Act and do not limit the authority of any fire chief or other local officers charged with the responsibility of investigating fires under Section 9 of the Fire Investigation Act or any other law or limit the authority of the State Fire Marshal under the Fire Investigation Act or any other law.

(Source: P.A. 99-811, eff. 8-15-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)